BJP may name Modi its PM candidate before Sept 16

Former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari met senior party patriarch LK Advani as efforts began to fix a “convenient” date between September 12-16 to approve Narendra Modi’s name as the prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 polls.

Former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari met senior party patriarch LK Advani as efforts began to fix a “convenient” date between September 12-16 to approve Narendra Modi’s name as the prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 polls. After a go-ahead from the RSS, the party wants to ensure the presence of all members of the BJP’s parliamentary board in the meet.

Gadkari’s meeting with Advani was read with significance as he had called on leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj two days ago. Both Advani and Swaraj are opposed to Modi being named before the next round of polls in five states, including Delhi, Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh. Gadkari is said to be keen that the announcement on Modi is made only with Advani’s “consent”, sources said.

BJP sources ruled out any announcement on September 17, which happens to be Modi’s 63rd birthday, as both the party and RSS do not want to be seen as making him the PM candidate as a birthday gift.